Life changes in Canada

Effects of High Life Changes Stress on Health and Personal Life

• Physical Health:

  • Increased risk of cardiovascular problems (e.g., hypertension, heart disease)
  • Weakened immune system leading to frequent illnesses
  • Sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue
  • Gastrointestinal issues like ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome

• Mental Health:

  • Heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms
  • Difficulty concentrating and decision-making
  • Increased risk of burnout and emotional exhaustion

• Personal Life:

  • Strained relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
  • Reduced work productivity and job satisfaction
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Difficulty balancing work and home responsibilities

Workplace Support Suggestion:
Encourage employers to use platforms like October by October to provide digital group sessions and mental health content, helping employees manage stress related to life changes effectively.

Effect of High Life Changes Stress on an Economy

• Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing high stress from life changes (e.g., divorce, death, job loss) often show decreased focus and efficiency at work.
• Increased Absenteeism and Presenteeism: Stress can lead to more sick days (absenteeism) or employees being physically present but mentally unwell (presenteeism), hurting overall output.
• Higher Healthcare Costs: Stress-related health issues increase demand on healthcare services, raising costs for both employers and public health systems.
• Workplace Turnover: Employees under high stress are more likely to leave their jobs, increasing recruitment and training expenses.
• Lower Consumer Spending: Widespread stress can decrease consumer confidence and spending, slowing economic growth.

Workplace Mental Health Tip: Offering digital group sessions and stress assessments through platforms like October can help employees manage life changes stress and improve economic outcomes.

 Reducing Life Change Stress at a Country Level

1. **Provide Accessible Mental Health Services**  
   Ensure widespread access to affordable mental health resources (counselling, therapy, crisis lines).

2. **Promote Workplace Mental Health Programs**  
   Encourage employers to offer mental health support, such as digital group sessions (e.g. October), stress management training, and mental health days.

3. **Implement Social Safety Nets**  
   Strengthen unemployment benefits, housing support, and healthcare access to reduce stress during major life changes like job loss or illness.

4. **Educate the Public on Stress Management**  
   Launch public campaigns to raise awareness about stress signs, coping mechanisms, and when to seek help.

5. **Facilitate Community Support Networks**  
   Fund community centers and support groups to enhance social connectedness, reducing isolation during transitions.

6. **Encourage Work-Life Balance Policies**  
   Promote flexible work hours, parental leave, and paid vacation to help individuals better manage life changes and stress.

How Companies Can Lower Life Changes Stress

1. Flexible Work Arrangements
   Offer options like remote work or flexible hours to help employees manage personal changes (e.g., moving, new family members).

2. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
   Provide access to counseling and support for employees going through significant life changes.

3. Mental Health Education & Group Sessions
   Use platforms like October to deliver digital group sessions on coping strategies for life changes.

4. Regular Check-ins
   Encourage managers to have empathetic one-on-one check-ins to identify stressors early.

5. Resource Sharing
   Distribute information on community resources for major life events (e.g., financial planning, childcare).

These steps can reduce the impact of life changes stress on employee wellbeing and productivity.